VALUE OF DIPPING.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18203, 2 March 1929, Page 10

VALUE OF DIPPING.

Loss of condition in a flock is caused sometimes through parasites as lice and keds (commonly spoken o£ as ticks) writes the Department of Agriculture. Constant scratching and biting, rubbing against posts and fences are the most common symptoms. A lioe infected animal cannot do justice to the food it eats. The staining of the fleece from parasites reduces its value considerably. Apart from the fact that the animal thrives better the fleece is improved in value. Dipping of the flock to eradicate parasites is an operation which is regarded by sheepowners in its true light and has now become a universal practice. If the sheep are infested with lice a double dipping is essential to thoroughly eradicate the parasite. The first clipping kills off the living vermin, but those which hatch out from the eggs during’ the next ten days remain, so that the second dipping to be effective, requires to be carried out within 14 days. Practically all the standard dips on the market to-day are suitable if the mixing of the dip is carried out strictly to instructions supplied on each packet or drum of the dip used. On of the most common causes of failure is insufficient immersion. Each sheep should be held for at least one minute in the bath, two minutes for longwoolled sheep. The head should be immersed. Dipping in a dirty bath reduces the strength of the dip. The bath should be cleaned out at proper intervals and the following rules also observed :—(1) •Avoid dipping in wet weather. (2) Measure accurately the bathwater. (3) Dissolve the powder thoroughly before using. (4) Mix the dip properly. (5) Keep stirring the bath. (6) Use the dip full strength.